WO2001024601A2

WO2001024601A2 - Improved cover system for aircraft loading passageway

Info

Publication number: WO2001024601A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/027245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Larson
Original assignee: Infra-Structures, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-06
Filing date: 2000-10-03
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Also published as: WO2001024601A8; WO2001024601A3

Abstract

A weatherproof passageway (10) is provided comprising a series of expandable corridor sections (12). Over the top (18) of each corridor section (12) is a solid fabric or plastic sheet material (28) acting as a roof. Attached to the inside of each wall (22, 24) of each corridor section (12) is a similar sheet partially enclosing the frame section (14). The interior protective sheet comprises a lower solid section (34) and an upper mesh section (32). As a consequence, a transverse through passage is formed, through which any air gust will easily pass reducing the chance of the extended passageway capsizing or overturning.

Description

IMPROVED COVER SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT LOADING PASSAGEWAY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved passageway for loading and unloading small aircraft and in particular, to a cover for such passageway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In my earlier patent, U.S. 5,603,343, there was disclosed a passageway formed from a series of expandable arched corridor sections covered by a plastic roof overlay and combination of clear and opaque plastic sheet covering the sides.

It is well known that, airport tarmac and aprons are prone to large sudden gusts which can result in capsizing or overturning an extended passageway. This problem is particularly exacerbated since the solid plastic sheets or canvass, used to cover the roof and sides act as wind sails blocking the through passage of wind.

Furthermore, solid plastic or canvas sheet absorb and retain heat and humidity, making the passageway uncomfortable in both summer and winter. Also, the solid plastic or canvass material is very bulky, voluminous and not easily foldable, making it very difficult to collapse for storage. Finally, movement of the passageway or positioning of the walkway from one aircraft to another has proven difficult due to the heavy weight of the plastic sheets or canvass material.

A further problem has been found when using solid sheet for the roof. This problem arises because of the necessity to expand or collapse each section, the roof cover lacks support during rain or snow storms to support their added weight.

Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved passageway for loading and unloading aircraft.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a passageway with decreased wind resistance and thereby lowering the passageway's susceptibility to capsizing or overturning.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more comfortable ambient environment within the passageway.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a more easily moveable collapsible passageway. These objects and others together with their advantages and uses will be apparent from the following description of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A weatherproof passageway is provided comprising a series of expandable corridor sections. Over the top of each corridor section is a solid fabric or plastic sheet material acting as a roof. Attached to the inside of each wall of each corridor section is a similar sheet partially enclosing the frame section.

According to the present invention, the interior protective sheet comprises a lower solid section and an upper mesh section. As a consequence, a transverse through passage is formed, through which any air gust will easily pass reducing the chance of the extended passageway capsizing or overturning.

The combined solid/mesh interior panel allow for increased air exchange between the interior of the passageway and the exterior environment. This air exchange keeps the temperature inside of the passageway cooler in summer and warmer in the winter than it would normally be if a solid weatherproof fabric panel is used.

Further, in accordance with the present inventor the roof cover, while preferable solid vinyl or canvass is provided with a plurality of flexible stays arranged parallel to each other and informally spaced to provide a reinforced roof against rain and/or snow.

Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following description and in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of several sections of the passageway;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one section of the passageway. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partially sectioned, of the cover construction.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As seen in Fig. 1, the passageway, generally depicted by the numeral 10 is partially shown formed of a plurality of collapsible corridor sections 12, each of which are hingedly joined together serially so that the passageway may be deployed in extended condition in a manner to provide flexibility along its length.

Generally, each corridor section 12 comprises front and rear inverted U-shaped frames 14 comprising a pair of laterally spaced posts 16 connected by a roof arch 18. The corresponding posts 16, of the front and rear supports 14 are jointed by a scissor- like assembly 20, one end of each scissor arm riding in a channel 22, permitting the front and rear supports 14 to collapse adjacent each other or expand outwardly from each other. When separated the corresponding frame supports 14 and associated scissor assembles define apposed side walls 24. In this manner the frame construction shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to that shown in my earlier patent.

While the earlier patent provides a roof cover and side panels covering the walls 24, the present invention provides, as noted earlier, an improved roof cover and panels as shown in Figs. 1-3.

As seen in Fig. 1, hung over the interior of the side walls is sheet like wall panel 26 preventing the lateral entry of rain or snow. Draped over each corridor section 12 and resting on the top of the front and rear roof arches 18 is a weatherproof fabric cover 28 which is preferably held in place by providing the inner surface of the cover 28 and the outer surface of the roof arch 18 with mating VELCRO holding strips 30 (see Fig. 2).

As seen in Fig. 2, the interior wall panel 26 has at least an upper portion 32 made of a mesh like material and a lower portion of solid impermeable material. This mesh may be an open fabric weave, or a closely woven fabric sheet or solid vinyl sheet provided with spaced random holes or with a decorative design cut or stamped in the fabric or vinyl sheet. The design or form of the holes or mesh is not critical except that it must be sufficient to allow relatively free passage of air (Arrows A) to allow increased air exchange between the interior and exterior of the passageway so as to reduce the effects of wind gusts on the passageway in windy environments.

Similarly, the size of the mesh portion 32 is not critical and a large portion of the panel may be mesh. However, it is preferably of course that the wall panels 26 have a lower portion 34 of solid material of sufficient size so as to prevent excessive rain gusts or snow from entering the passageway and soiling the passengers.

The wall panels 26 are attached to the side wall of the posts 16 by employing VELCRO strips 36 attached to the posts 16 and to the trailing edges of the panels 26. The wall panels 26 are mounted with their uppers edge 38 spaced a short distance below the upper edge of the vertical posts 16 so as not to impinge on the roof area. In lieu of Velcro fasteners, small hooks 40 spaced along the length of the mounting bar may be used and the leading and trailing edge of the panels 26 may provided with corresponding spaced grommets 42 fitting over the hooks.

The roof cover 28, stretching from front to rear frame supports 16, extends transversely over the curve of the roof 18. The roof cover 28 drapes a short distance downwardly over the exterior of the side walls 22 to form a skirt 44 allowing rain water and drippings to move vertically to the ground and not into the interior of the passageway. Because, the roof cover 28 is laid over the exterior surface of the frame and the wall panels 26 are hung on the interior surfaces of the frame, a vertical space

66 is formed between the skirt 44 and the wall panels 26, irrespective of how high on the posts 16 the panels 26 are mounted. Thus, there is left a space through which wind may flow as indicated by the arrow B. This space 66 relieves the effect of any sudden and severe wind gusts on the roof of the passageway preventing the passageway from moving or tipping when fully extended in rough weather.

As seen in Fig.3, the roof cover 28 is provided with several lines 48 of stays 50 arrange transversely to the length of frame 10, in uniform parallel spaced relationship, each line 48 is formed of several discrete stays to enable the cover to be easily folded. The stays 50, preferably flexible plastic strips of sufficient thickness and strength, act to give the cover, a stiffness and tautness to provide strong enough to support the weight of rain and/ or snow without sagging or buckling and without creating an unwanted downward force tending to collapse the open corridor. The stays

50 may be imbedded in a pockets formed within the cover material, or sandwiched between two layers of cover material. Sewing or gluing the pocket or the layers of material may be used.

It will thus be understood that each frame section 10 is itself collapsible and extendible depending upon the exact geometric lengths of the stanchions and the connecting scissor stud assembly. The incorporation of side wall panels provided with a significant mesh portion provides for the generally free flow of cross or transverse air flow without creating any disadvantage or problem. A combined solid/mesh sheet is more pliable than a conventional all solid weatherproof fabric sheet so that its use more easily allows for the collapsibility of the frame sections for transportation or storage.

The incorporation of mesh panels into the vinyl interior side wall panels reduces the temperature of the interior of the passage as well as to decrease the passageways susceptibility to wind gusts and the like. The combined solid/mesh sheet weighs less than a typical solid weatherproof fabric sheet. As a result, transportation of the passageway when collapsed or maneuvering of the passageway when extended is more easily accomplished because less weight need be moved.

The reinforced roof cover provides increased stability and strength as well as swift run off of water and snow. It is also more pleasing in appearance.

The combination of improved roof and side panels, provides increased air flow within the passageway and allows the leveling of temperature within the passage in both cold and warm climates. Various modifications and changes have been disclosed herein, and others will be apparent to those skilled in this art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is by way of illustration and not limiting of the present invention.

Claims

1. A passageway through which passengers may move for unloading and loading aircraft comprising a plurality of independent frame sections arranged in longitudinal end to end series, each section having of at least a front and a rear set of legs connected by a roof beam, each of said frame sections having a pair of spaced side walls, each of said side walls having a front and a rear stanchion being connected by a longitudinal collapsible stud assembly, the corresponding front and rear stanchions of said pairs being fixedly attached to said front and said rear set of legs, a foldable fabric cover extending over each frame section and secured to said roof beam, a foldable fabric panel mounted within said frame on each of said paired walls having a solid sheet section and a mesh sheet section, said frame sections being articulately connected to form an elongated flexible corridor, each of said sections being connected to its adjacent section in the longitudinal series by pivotal latch means enabling said passageway to flex laterally and assume an arcuate disposition.

2. The passageway according to claim 1, wherein said foldable fabric panel has a lower solid sheet section and an upper mesh sheet section.

3. The passageway according to claim 1, wherein said foldable fabric panel is a combination of any number of solid sheet section and mesh sections.